14 October 2008

Me: I see you're on coumadin. Why are you on coumadin? Patient: It's a blood thinner.Me: I know it's a blood thinner. Why are you taking a blood thinner?Patient: So my blood doesn't clot?Me: Do you know why your doctor was worried about blood clots? Patient: Well, they're dangerous, aren't they? Me: Yes, but have you ever had a blood clot, or an irregular heartbeat, or a stroke? Patient: I don't know.Me: (hits self in face with the chart)

Me: So, Mom tells me that the Doctor recently changed your diabetes medication. Why did he change it?Dad: I don't know.Me: What do you mean you don't know? Didn't you ask him?Dad: What's the point son? Doc knows what he's doingMe: It's not the Doc I'm worried about. Dad, YOU need to know WHY you're taking any particular medication! You need to be aware of it's effects and side effects.Dad: Well, I'll ask you Mother...Me: Why ask Mom?! Mom isn't the one popping them pills! Dad, you've been a diabetic for over 15 years now! Stop passing the buck onto Mom!

*sigh* I STILL don't know what meds he's on and why they were changed in the first place....

Then there are patients like me, who research the living daylights out of every last thing I eat, take, and wash my hair with.

I don't know if he likes me very much, but I think my doctor appreciates that I can finish his sentences for him until he remembers, "Oh yes, this is the one who doesn't require twenty minutes of explaining basic pharmacology...next!"

One problem is the lack of curiosity people have about what is going on with their bodies. If I am taking something legal, it must make me better. They don't understanding that a symptom might be related to the medication, the underlying illness, or something else.

I used to go through this with my father. Friday evening, after the doctor's office closed. He would expect me to make him better long distance, because he didn't want to go to the doctor. The difficulty breathing would have started on Monday, but he waits until Friday evening, so he can claim that he can't go to the doctor for a few days. I should have has a cement clip board to bang against my head, which would be OK, since he was the one taking coumadin. :-)

Shadowfax

About me: I am an ER physician and administrator living in the Pacific Northwest. I live with my wife and four kids. Various other interests include Shorin-ryu karate, general aviation, Irish music, Apple computers, and progressive politics. My kids do their best to ensure that I have little time to pursue these hobbies.

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This blog is for general discussion, education, entertainment and amusement. Nothing written here constitutes medical advice nor are any hypothetical cases discussed intended to be construed as medical advice. Please do not contact me with specific medical questions or concerns. All clinical cases on this blog are presented for educational or general interest purposes and every attempt has been made to ensure that patient confidentiality and HIPAA are respected. All cases are fictionalized, either in part or in whole, depending on how much I needed to embellish to make it a good story to protect patient privacy.

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